Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Researching Resilience

Abstract #195
Title: Research for Resilience and Reconciliation
Presenter: Andrea Breen (University of Guelph, Canada)
Co-Author: Jamie Bell, Ethan Tassiuk
Introduction: Research on Indigenous peoples has been a tool of Colonization and there are increasing calls to decolonize research by incorporating Indigenist methodologies (eg. Wilson, 2008).  In this paper, we draw on Indigenist methodologies to share our story of co-developing a resilience-focused research project with Inuit youth in Arviat, Canada.
Methods: Indigenist methodologies emphasize relationship with other people, land and spirit, validity that is centred on responsibility to those with whom one has a relationship, knowledge generated from a variety of sources, and learning  through sharing stories (Burkhart, 2004; Wilson, 2008). We draw on these methods to examine our own conversations, focusing on data from a year-long, intensive Twitter conversation between us—a Non-Indigenous female academic researcher from an urban university, and two Indigenous male, non-academics.
Findings: We highlight themes of dis/connection, un/learning, colonization, and reconciliation through co-developing a project that will incorporate television, technology and participatory action storytelling. We share our emerging insights about the challenges and possibilities of doing research with Indigenous youth and communities in ways that contribute to both resilience and reconciliation.

Abstract #305
Title: Resilience and its association to related constructs
Presenter: Barbara Hanfdstingl (Alpen-Adria-Universitaet Klagenfurt, Austria)
Co-Authors: Ingrid Koller, Elena Mochar, Emanuel Wirnsberger
Introduction: Since resilience is discussed as multidimensional construct, different approaches and research pathways are reflected in empirical research. The most challenging point is the overlap with related constructs, even more if those overlaps stay on an implicit level. However, for a precise empirical work we need clear definitions and explicit operationalizations. 
Methods: In this presentation we will contrast different definitions of resilience with related constructs such as self-efficacy, coping strategies and self-regulation by using the Content-Scaling Structure procedure (CSS; Koller, Glück, & Levenson, 2016). CSS is a mixed-method multi-step process which helps to analyze and optimize the content validity of a construct. One part of CSS allows to contrast latent constructs on item level with the help of expert ratings. This also allows the analysis, to what extent operationalizations and items in questionnaires reflect the theoretical approaches and definitions of a construct in a valid way.
Findings: The data show surprising ambiguities and overlaps of resilience, self-efficacy, coping strategies and some aspects of self-regulation at empirical level although they mean something else theoretically. We will discuss consequences and implications on a theoretical, methodical and empirical level.